NBA Playgrounds Reviews
NBA Playgrounds is a slightly less flashy, but more skillful version of NBA Jam that should keep fans of the formula very happy. A must buy for party gamers everywhere.
Keeps the nostalgic feel to the game type we're familiar with while adding its own flair to it.
NBA Playgrounds holds it's own in the world of arcade basketball. It's challenging and very fun. Some gameplay could be tweaked and the addition of 4 players to it's online mode would really make NBA Playgrounds shine. As is, expect to have a blast playing as your favorite NBA players from yesterday and today.
Those that like Basketball or even casual players looking for some silly action will enjoy some outdoor dribbling.
Saber Interactive plays homage to NBA Jam and even a little bit of NBA Street with NBA Playgrounds, and does so with enough changes to the formula to make it interesting, even if the attitude and enthusiasm is a bit subdued. NBA Playgrounds has some erratic difficulty swings during exhibition and tournament modes, but the arcade basketball is fun and easy to pick-up-and-play solo, local, or even online.
Overall, NBA Playgrounds could’ve been the next NBA Jam. It nails everything from the look of the characters, to the lighthearted commentary. While it’s fun at first for a few rounds, as time goes on the cracks start to show and you realize that this game is more of an attempted layup than an actual slam dunk. If you’ve never played an NBA Jam game before, you can give this game a shot. Otherwise, for a true arcade basketball experience, stick to the classics.
There is a fun game here in NBA Playgrounds, but this is by no means the best version of the game. The other issue is that the game is a little on the shallow side. It is a shame really, because there is a fun title to be had here, but issues hold it back and the end result is a merely average sports outing.
NBA Playgrounds doesn't try to hide its NBA Jams influences in the least, and that's just fine, because this arcade basketball title is one Jam fans and newcomers will both appreciate.
Fussy shooting mechanics and some missing modes neutralize the overall experience to a degree, but the game's strong moment-to-moment gameplay keeps it afloat. With enough practice and patience (and patching), Playgrounds could be a perennial crowd-pleaser.
A bit more demanding than usual, NBA Playgrounds fits in the right line of NBA Jam and NBA Street, without a constant comparison. The game may be arcade in looks and gameplay, but it tries to compensate for a slightly more demanding timed control schemes, which might not be fun for all. Too bad that the solo as the multiplayer part have been shipped almost half-baked at launch, and I really hope that the updates and patch will be coming fast to keep the momentum.
NBA Playgrounds will absolutely fill the void left behind by NBA Jam in regards to a strict 2-on-2 basketball experience. However, there isn't enough here to really keep gamers coming back for more after the initial newness period wears off. It can be fun in extremely short bursts, but the boredom kicks in quick.
NBA Playgrounds takes inspired elements from its predecessors and re-purposes them for the current generation. While it's far from perfect, the game's mechanical inconsistencies are easily outshined by its simplicity and precision. Not as beginner-friendly as expected, but addicting fun for the dedicated player.
If you like NBA Street and NBA Jam, you will enjoy NBA Playgrounds. Just be warned though, that unless you happen to be lucky with your location and can join random opponents in the online matchmaking, you are going to be playing this by yourself until future updates expand the game.
NBA Playgrounds is fun, of that there is no doubt. It’s just that the fun doesn’t last all that long. After playing a few matches I simply had no motivation to have another without taking a break from it first. If you’re a huge basketball fan and you’re planning on playing a lot of local multiplayer, it’ll be far more appealing to you. If all you want is a game that will ease the itch for an over the top street basketball game in the same vein as NBA Jam then this will satisfy it somewhat. Just don’t expect it to become your favourite ever basketball game, because it has some way to go.
What you have here is a fast and fluid and for the most part fun two vs two arcade style basketball game for up to 4 players. Like Rocket League games are fast, with a 10 minute time period though you can tweak settings via the option menu if you so desire.
NBA Playgrounds is a game that you will undoubtedly enjoy playing better against your friends than against AI, if you are a BasketBall fan and want to test your skills against your friends give it a try, you may be interested.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Not Good, Not good at all
NBA Playgrounds were quite good game which will be able to tighten as the fans of serious simulation, and people who have never played virtual basketball at all. If you are not indifferent to arcade basketball, then this game is definitely worth your attention, but if you are an owner of Nintendo Switch, in the best case, you will have to wait for the next patches and fixes the above problems.
Review in Russian | Read full review
NBA Playgrounds is a game that is instantly playable - but the more you chip away at it, the more you're disappointed by the lack of content at release. It can be fantastic to pick up and play when you’re with a group of friends, but the lack of online multiplayer at launch means you’ll find yourself enjoying Playgrounds less and less very quickly.